Teleporting in—welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!We had a fantastic chat with Paul Vanezis, the genius behind the visual cleanup of the Blake's 7 Blu-ray box set. Right off the bat, we dive into his experiences restoring this classic series, which has been a labour of love with some hefty challenges. Paul shares some behind-the-scenes stories about the challenges he faced, from dealing with old tape glitches to ensuring the episodes look as good as they did back in 1978.It’s a fascinating chat that goes into the ins and outs of restoration, and we even get a peek at some of the tech wizardry that goes into making the show shine in modern HD. If you love this subject and also need some behind-the-scenes banter, this episode is a must-listen.We're teleporting out for now! Thanks for listening and don't forget to follow and subscribe on your preferred podcast app so you never miss an episode.You can also join the conversation and stay updated by following us on Twitter/X and Bluesky, we'd love to hear your thoughts and theories!Join us next time as we continue our journey through the universe of Blake’s 7.
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2:01:10
Models to Magic: A Chin Wag with Visual Effects Extraordinaire Chris Thompson
Teleporting in—welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!For our second bonus episode, we've got a special chat featuring the visual effects wizard, Chris Thompson. Chris shares some behind-the-scenes magic, like how he brought those epic models back to life and the clever tricks he used to update the classic effects while keeping their charm intact.We also take a peek into Chris' early days of creating art for classic shows like Thunderbirds, Space 1999, etc and share his journey that’s as captivating as the show itself. We chat about the challenges of blending old-school charm with modern tech in the remastering process, making sure that fans of the original can still appreciate that vintage vibe while also getting a taste of the new. Plus, there’s a healthy dose of nostalgia as we wax about the good ol’ days of sci-fi shows.This interview is a wonderful insight into the creativity, love and care that's gone into, and continues to go into, Chris' work, and you can feel the passion in his words. If you’re a fan of Blake's 7 or just love behind-the-scenes stories, this episode is a must-listen!We're teleporting out for now! Thanks for listening and don't forget to follow and subscribe on your preferred podcast app so you never miss an episode.You can also join the conversation and stay updated by following us on Twitter/X and Bluesky, we'd love to hear your thoughts and theories!Join us next time as we continue our journey through the universe of Blake’s 7.
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1:07:46
From The Way Back to Orac: Our Series A Wrap-Up
Teleporting in—welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!We’re wrapping up our ride through Series A of Blake 7, and boy, what a wild ride it’s been! From the dark themes in the first episode to some serious character growth, we’ve been on a journey that’s hooked both newbies and old-school fans alike. We’re very grateful for everyone who’s joined us on this trip, whether you’re rewatching or just tuning in for the first time.It’s clear that Adam and I are riding high on a wave of nostalgia and excitement in this episode. We reflect on how we got here, from the very first episode to the last, thanking everyone who’s tuned in along the way. It’s been a journey of rediscovery for me, especially since I’d previously struggled with the show. Now, I’m all in!We chat about our favorite episodes, with 'Seek Locate Destroy' stealing the spotlight for its thrilling narrative and incredible character development. The tension between Blake and Avon is palpable, and I can’t help but love how their dynamic evolves over time. Adam brings up how Travis and Servalan are a dream team of villainy, and we can’t wait to see how their stories unfold in Series B.We also take a moment to recognize the hard work behind the remastering of this classic series and give props to the amazing crew who made it happen and... speaking of those people, our next bonus episode is an interview with visual effects supervisor and model extraordinaire Chris Thompson! Tune in next week for a geeky chat about Chris's work on bringing new effects that fit into Blake's 7's unique, classic look and some other tidbits of his work on other shows. Thanks, Chris!We're teleporting out for now! Thanks for listening and don't forget to follow and subscribe on your preferred podcast app so you never miss an episode.You can also join the conversation and stay updated by following us on Twitter/X and Bluesky, we'd love to hear your thoughts and theories!Join us next time as we continue our journey through the universe of Blake’s 7.
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1:37:45
A:13: Orac: A Race to Orac Plus THAT Cliffhanger Ending!
Teleporting in—welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!We’re wrapping up Series A of Blake 7 with a bang in this episode, and it’s all about the finale, “Orac.” Can you believe we made it here? It feels like we were getting our feet wet just yesterday in the wild universe of Blake's 7.This episode had it all: intrigue, suspense, and a touch of emotional depth. As Blake and his crew race against time to prevent Servalan and Travis from getting their hands on Orac, we delve into a narrative that balances action with character development. The tension builds as we witness Ensor's frailty and the crew's desperate attempts to save him, all while dodging Federation threats.The performances shine, especially Derek Farr's as Ensor, who brings a quirky yet poignant touch to the role. It’s a bittersweet finale that leaves us on the edge of our seats, pondering what’s next for our favorite space rogues. And that cliffhanger? Total game-changer! How can you not be itching to dive into Series B after that?We hope you enjoy our review of the episode Orac, and fear not, we're back next week to kick off some bonus episodes, starting with a wrap-up review of Series A. This will be followed by a couple of special interview episodes with people involved with the Blake's 7 blu ray box sets, so tune in next week to find out more!We're teleporting out for now! Thanks for listening and don't forget to follow and subscribe on your preferred podcast app so you never miss an episode.You can also join the conversation and stay updated by following us on Twitter/X and Bluesky, we'd love to hear your thoughts and theories!Join us next time as we continue our journey through the universe of Blake’s 7.
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1:27:51
A:12: Deliverance: Space Pirates and Avon Goes God Mode (Sort Of)
Teleporting in—welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!We’re looking at the penultimate episode of Series A, and does it deliver?Avon gets a chance to strut his stuff as “Lord Avon,” and let’s just say, he doesn’t shy away from the spotlight—much to Villa's amusement. Meanwhile, Servalan and Travis are cooking up a devious plan to snag Orac, and the tension is palpable as they plot in the shadows.As we've often found with every episode so far, the performances are what make this series shine, even when the narrative feels a tad familiar.So, let’s get stuck into this important story that sets the stage for the series finale!We're teleporting out for now! Thanks for listening and don't forget to follow and subscribe on your preferred podcast app so you never miss an episode.You can also join the conversation and stay updated by following us on Twitter/X and Bluesky, we'd love to hear your thoughts and theories!Join us next time as we continue our journey through the universe of Blake’s 7.
About Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7
Embark on an epic journey into the galaxy of Blake's 7 with Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7! This brand-new show pairs the perspectives of a devoted lifelong fan and a curious newcomer experiencing the series for the very first time. Together, they explore every episode of this iconic sci-fi classic, blending fresh impressions with seasoned insights.
Each week, your hosts—experienced podcasters Garry and Adam, the team behind the long-running acclaimed Doctor Who podcast The Big Blue Box Podcast—dive deep into episode reviews, share fascinating behind-the-scenes trivia, and unpack the stories that shaped Blake's 7. Whether revisiting the show or discovering it yourself, you’ll find a perfect balance of nostalgia and new perspectives.
From the rebellion’s most daring missions to the Federation’s darkest secrets, Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7 delivers lively discussion, in-depth analysis, and plenty of surprises. Tune in and join us as we explore this timeless adventure one story at a time.
Listen to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7, So Dramatic! with Megan Pustetto and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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